River Severn — Sydney Avenue, Shrewsbury

The lowdown

• There’s plenty of variety packed into the river here: a weir pool, gravel bed, streamy glides, an island and weedy slack water. It’s not just one long run of samey water.
• Summer depths are generally only 1–4 feet, so this is a shallow stretch rather than a deep-water slog. Those glides and quieter patches are the main features to get your head around.
• The weir marks the upstream fishery boundary. Downstream, look for the boundary sign near the sharp road bend. Get those limits bob on before choosing where to settle in.
• Access comes via Sultan Road and New Park Road, with roadside access available. The holder prefers cars beneath the trees opposite the river, but current parking signs still need checking.
• The pegs have hard bases, which is handy, but don’t mistake that for permanently clean footing. They can get muddy after floods. Keep the public paths clear of your kit, too.
• Toilets sit beside the weir car park and normally open around 8am. A useful bit of bankside convenience, though that opening time is worth bearing in mind for an early start.
• The published coarse season runs from 16 June to 14 March. There’s a big extra catch: coarse fishing in the weir pool is prohibited from 1 February to 7 October inclusive.
• This is strictly a daylight session: night fishing is prohibited and you must leave before darkness. You also can’t fish the same peg on consecutive days, so no claiming a favourite spot all weekend.

Methods: Keep coarse sessions bait-based: spinning, jig, lure and worm fishing are prohibited here, with exceptions for permitted salmon spinning and fly fishing. Use no more than two baited rods, stay with them and keep every cast within the river centre line.

Access & tickets

Buy your Shrewsbury Town Fisheries permit online before heading down — there are no bank sales. Annual permits last 12 months from purchase.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, pike, perch, roach, carp, bream

Key rules

• Carry the appropriate Environment Agency rod licence and fishery permit. Buy permits online before fishing; there are no bank sales.
• The published coarse season is 16 June–14 March. Coarse fishing in the weir pool is prohibited from 1 February–7 October inclusive.
• Spinning, jig, lure and worm fishing are prohibited, except permitted salmon spinning and fly fishing. All salmon must be returned.
• Keepnets must not retain barbel, pike or specimen chub. A landing net is mandatory; barbel, pike and specimen anglers must also carry an unhooking mat.
• Use no more than two baited rods and never leave rods unattended. Do not cast beyond the river centre line.
• Night fishing is prohibited; leave before darkness. Do not fish the same peg on consecutive days.
• Keep public paths clear and follow current parking signs.
• Remove all litter, waste tackle and surplus bait.

River level

Where it is